Another hopeful year

Another year and a brand new team full of potential and possibilities. Welcome to summer 2018 w here we have already seen 4 winning games, excellent pitching and the ever present beauty of the view in front of us.

More to come

Welcome to 65! Elegant Aging

This past month was the end of my 64th and the beginning of my 65th, a year that has had even more significance than 60. Medicare, turning in my keys to the ELC, getting a new ID card with the words retiree. All of these marked a way forward to the future-a future that includes brilliantly kind loving friendships, ever closer family, and much unknown.

There is much to the sports angle in these stories that has brought me great joy over the past 8 years, and though I stopped writing conscientiously in this blog, my Facebook page is filled to overflowing with smiling faces at the ballpark.  So, I've decided to write again as we end the 2018 season that began with some early excitement that this team might make it to the playoffs. Along the way, so much hope, so much hope to counteract the devastating state of our politics.

2017 starts off well

How symbolic that  the last post was about the Marlins game in 2015 and here it is 2017 and I just woke up to writing again after going to our second game of the year- a Marlins game. Both games won, both nights warm   enough, both night  a breather from the challenges in my life.


That is how I started writing about the Phillies-in 2010 when I was recovering from another challenge=my hand  accident. There I was, hand bandaged, in pain and on pain meds, but determined to go to my first ever baseball game with Melvin and Peter A seated in the 11th row of the 100 section.  It was a glorious day of screaming and learning about the game with an expert. I had no idea who the players were-the World Series team of Chase Utley, Carlos Ruiz, Ryan Howard, Jason Werth, Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay. I came to know them and love them and the Phanatic. And then Cliff Lee came back.

Now Peter H, Joe, and I buy our tickets in 400 level, enjoying our perch over home plate, a wide view of the city and the jumbotron score board and the whole field. The team is completely new-Chase left at the end of 2015, Cole near the end of 2016 and Chooch and Ryan last year. Now it is time to fall in love again. Herrera, Hernadez, Gavis, Nola. there will be others, but for now they are not distinct enough for me.

This year, April 8, 2017 opening night was one of glee and total outrageousness when we were all stunned by the 12 run first inning, a record for the club. And that wasn't even the end of it. There were 5 more runs, two of them homers. This against the Nationals, the best team in the east. It was just me and Peter laughing all the way.

Tonight was full of  slow cooking excitement as the pitchers were more evenly matched. The Phillies were behind 2-0 until the third inning when first there was one hit, then another, then the bases loaded. Odubel Herrera comes to the plate and with a 1-2 count hits the ball into the stands at  374 foot. When we all realized that it had gone out of the park, everyone was on our feet- and I was screaming at a grand slam. It has been a long long time since I've seen one of those.

This looks to be a good year.

Game 1 Marlins

To tell you the truth, I haven't paid much attention to the start of the season except to hear that the Phillies, as expected, are not doing well at all. 6 straight losses in fact. And who the heck are the players? There are a few that I know-Howard, Utley, Ruiz-but the others are too new and too unknown to me to have any connection with.

Low expectations. That is the order of the day, so how wonderful to have my pals, true fans, who are just as gleeful as I am to be at the park again, sitting in our customary above homeplate, way above homeplate, seats.

The stands are relatively empty even at 7 just before the game. They fill up soon enough, certainly not like the 'good old day's of 2009-2011.

2015 Begins

On the eve of the snowiest day of the season, just a few hours before the rain would soon turn to 7 inches of snow, Peter and I excitedly sit and pick tickets for the upcoming season. April, May June, July, August, September. Night games, day games, fireworks, strolling the bases. This year, we have a new compadre in Joe, so I will have my two color commentators with me at each game.
On tap will be the Marlins, Mets, Orioles, Pirates, and more.

I logged on to my Phillies account, but  decided not to pay the 4$ a ticket charge. Instead Friday, when the streets and sidewalks were still icy and snow covered, I took the subway down to the ballpark. There she was, the same woman who I see in the summer, ready to take my complex order.

Lovin' this.

Then there was the Flower Show. Among the Disney movie themed exhibits and blue ribbon daffodils was the lifesize Phanatic in topiary.  

Lovin' this